As they celebrate in 2018, the action flashes back to other momentous chapters for the Pearson family, including the first date of mom Rebecca (Mandy Moore) and dad Jack (Milo Ventimiglia). And fans might want to start taking notes, because Season 3 promises to be the most ambitious yet. "We’re trusting the audience to follow more timelines than ever," warns executive producer Isaac Aptaker.

Kate

Newlyweds Kate and Toby (Chris Sullivan) have baby on the brain. "Their journey to have a family will be ongoing," confirms executive producer Elizabeth Berger. We already know the honeymoon won’t last forever, as a flash-forward in last March’s finale showed Toby bedridden with depression in the near-ish future. Aptaker says, "We’ll be catching up to that place and doing a deeper dive into his history."

Randall

Just as the riddle of Jack’s death was solved, another one took its place when a decades-older Randall told his then-grown daughter (Iantha Richardson), "It’s time to go see her, Tess." Is the "her" in question Randall’s wife, Beth (Susan Kelechi Watson)? Their unpredictable foster child, Deja (Lyric Ross)? Grandma Rebecca? "The answer to the great pronoun mystery will come sooner than later," Aptaker promises. In the meantime, present-day Randall and Beth should brace themselves: "There will be a cacophony of change that’s definitely going to test them," Berger says.

Kevin

Kevin’s budding romance with Beth’s cousin Zoe (new series regular Melanie Liburd) will take flight, much to the chagrin of his disapproving sister-in-law. "The stakes are high — if this doesn’t work, Thanksgiving will never be the same," jokes Aptaker. Zoe will accompany Kevin on a trip to Vietnam as he seeks a deeper understanding of his father, providing a window into Jack’s wartime experience. "We are incredibly proud of the Vietnam story," says Berger. "It’s completely different from anything we’ve ever done."

This Is Us, Season 3 Premiere, Tuesday, September 25, 9/8c, NBC

This article also appeared in the Sept 17 - 30 issue of TV Guide Magazine